1 Corinthians 16:3
ὅταν δὲ παραγένωμαι, οὓς ἐὰν δοκιμάσητε, δι’ ἐπιστολῶν τούτους πέμψω ἀπενεγκεῖν τὴν χάριν ὑμῶν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ·
Modern Greek Pronunciation: hótan de paragéno̱mai, hoús eàn dokimásēte, di’ epistolṓn toútous pémpso apenengkeín tēn chárin hymōn eis Hierousalḗm.
Literal English Translation: And when I arrive, whomever you approve, them I will send with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
Koine Grammar Analysis
- ὅταν δὲ παραγένωμαι – “When I arrive”;
– ὅταν: temporal conjunction (“whenever, when”);
– παραγένωμαι: aorist middle subjunctive 1st singular of παραγίνομαι. - οὓς ἐὰν δοκιμάσητε – “whomever you may approve”;
– οὓς: accusative plural relative pronoun (“whomever”);
– ἐὰν δοκιμάσητε: aorist active subjunctive 2nd plural of δοκιμάζω (“to test, approve”), with ἐὰν indicating general conditional. - δι’ ἐπιστολῶν – “by letters”; preposition + genitive plural noun from ἐπιστολή.
- τούτους – demonstrative accusative plural: “these ones.”
- πέμψω – aorist active subjunctive 1st singular from πέμπω: “I may send.”
- ἀπενεγκεῖν – aorist active infinitive from ἀποφέρω: “to carry away.”
- τὴν χάριν ὑμῶν – “your gift”; literally “your grace,” a metonym for the collection/donation.
- εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ – “to Jerusalem”; preposition + proper noun in accusative.
Modern Greek Version
Και όταν έρθω, εκείνους που θα εγκρίνετε, θα τους στείλω με επιστολές για να μεταφέρουν τη δωρεά σας στα Ιεροσόλυμα.
Key Shifts in Modern Structure
- ὅταν παραγένωμαι → όταν έρθω: Subjunctive retained, verb simplified to common form.
- οὓς ἐὰν δοκιμάσητε → εκείνους που θα εγκρίνετε: Relative + subjunctive becomes full clause with future tense.
- δι’ ἐπιστολῶν → με επιστολές: Preposition simplified from διὰ to με.
- πέμψω ἀπενεγκεῖν → θα τους στείλω να μεταφέρουν: Aorist subjunctive + infinitive replaced by future + να + subjunctive.
- χάριν → δωρεά: Vocabulary modernized to mean “gift, donation.”
Grammar Comparison Table
| Feature | Koine Greek | Modern Greek | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporal Clause | ὅταν παραγένωμαι | όταν έρθω | Subjunctive remains; verb simplified |
| Conditional Relative Clause | οὓς ἐὰν δοκιμάσητε | εκείνους που θα εγκρίνετε | Complex subjunctive clause rephrased with future tense |
| Subjunctive + Infinitive | πέμψω ἀπενεγκεῖν | θα στείλω να μεταφέρουν | Infinitive structure replaced by να-clause |
| Metaphor for Donation | χάριν | δωρεά | “Grace” becomes “gift” in modern vocabulary |
Delegating with Grace
This verse reveals how Koine Greek handles complex layers of intent and condition: ὅταν…ἐὰν…πέμψω ἀπενεγκεῖν. It’s all tightly structured, flowing from arrival to delegation to destination. Modern Greek preserves that sequence, but unpacks it into sequential verbs with more familiar phrasing. The precision of delegation and approval, however, remains just as formal, just as weighty, across both eras of Greek.
